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Indirect Category Manager

Torrance, California, United States

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

Purpose

We are seeking a highly motivated and adaptable Indirect Category Manager to support strategic sourcing and procurement activities across Divergent 3D and Czinger.

This role supports a broad range of indirect procurement categories including IT/software, HR, marketing, professional services, finance, legal, travel, facilities, construction, and other G&A related spend. Depending on business priorities and candidate experience, the individual may primarily support specific procurement categories and provide additional support where needed on all other indirect categories.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast paced, high growth environment and is equally comfortable driving sourcing strategy, managing supplier relationships, supporting stakeholders through business requirements, and executing procurement activities from intake through supplier performance management.

This individual will play a key role in helping scale a modern procurement organization by independently leading sourcing initiatives, negotiating commercial agreements, optimizing supplier performance, and partnering cross functionally to support business growth and operational objectives.

Role

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

  • Lead sourcing and procurement activities across multiple indirect spend categories. Partner closely with stakeholders to define business requirements, scope sourcing projects, and support supplier selection decisions.
  • Manage end-to-end sourcing initiatives including RFIs/RFPs/RFQs, supplier evaluations, negotiations, contract execution, and supplier onboarding.
  • Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, SaaS agreements, statements of work (SOWs), master services agreements (MSAs), service agreements, and other supplier contracts in partnership with Legal and internal stakeholders.
  • Drive cost savings, supplier optimization, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation initiatives.
  • Support category planning, sourcing strategies, and supplier roadmaps aligned with business objectives and operational priorities.

Supplier & Stakeholder Partnership

  • Build and maintain strong supplier relationships focused on quality, responsiveness, scalability, and overall business value.
  • Monitor supplier performance, deliverables, and contractual obligations to ensure successful execution of awarded work.
  • Serve as a trusted procurement business partner to stakeholders across IT, Engineering, HR, Finance, Facilities, Legal, and Operations.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally to support budgeting, forecasting, operational planning, and procurement strategy.
  • Help balance cost, quality, speed, scalability, and risk across sourcing decisions.

Procurement Operations & Process Improvement

  • Support the continued development and scaling of procurement processes, systems, and best practices.
  • Improve procurement efficiency, spend visibility, supplier governance, and reporting capabilities.
  • Support implementation and optimization of procurement tools and ERP systems including Zip, Ramp, Navan/Perk, Oracle, Zluri, CLM tool, SAP, Ariba, etc.
  • Operate with flexibility across multiple indirect procurement categories while supporting a collaborative and cross-trained team structure.

Basic Qualifications

  • Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or related field.
  • 7+ years of experience in indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain management.
  •  Demonstrated ability to independently manage sourcing projects and supplier negotiations with minimal oversight.
  •  Experience leading sourcing initiatives from requirements gathering through contract execution and supplier performance management.
  • Strong experience negotiating pricing, commercial agreements, SaaS/software agreements, professional services agreements, SOWs, and MSAs.
  • Strong stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and analytical skills.
  • Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous, and evolving environments.
  • Experience supporting IT procurement, software procurement, facilities, construction, professional services, HR, marketing, or other indirect spend categories preferred.
  • Experience working in high-growth technology, manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or defense environments preferred.
  • Working knowledge of procurement systems and ERP platforms.

Key Performance Metrics

  • Achievement of cost savings and value creation targets
  • Supplier performance and sourcing execution
  • Procurement cycle time and process efficiency improvements
  • Internal stakeholder satisfaction and partnership effectiveness
  • Contract compliance and supplier risk management
  • Operational support aligned with business priorities and timelines

Compensation

At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels S05 - S07 as evaluated through our interview process. 

  • SCH S05: $104,040 - $143,055
  • SCH S06: $120,190 - $165,240
  • SCH S07: $138,805 - 190,868

Pay Range

$104,040 - $190,868 USD

What We Offer:

  • Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
  • Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
  • Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
  • Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
  • Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint. 


Equal Employment Opportunity
Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected. 
 
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